Monday, September 23, 2013

I pin. A lot. A whole lot. But very few things I actually try. And these days, it is usually food. I have grand dreams of doing everything I pin, but alas, life usually gets in the way! But I happened upon a pin the other day that was just too perfect to pass up. And I am determined to do it. SOON. I haven't yet. But y'all hold me accountable. I will do this!

It involves this wall in my kitchen:

Please ignore the ugliness. If you can. It was taken prior to me getting my hands on it!

Your eye is really drawn to that wall in the kitchen because of the layout of the home. And it always bothered me that it was so plain. But I didn't know what to do with it. I have some art hanging to the left , the fridge is now to the right, and my "Jesus and germs" sign is above the pantry door. So I felt like I needed something to add interest but not anything to make it cluttered.

Monday, September 16, 2013

I am not sure what is harder to believe- that Archer is 9 months old or that in just a few months he will be a YEAR old! We are ***rapidly*** approaching the toddler phase with him! Ava was in the baby phase for SUCH a long time, so his development rate has just astounded me!!!

Weight

You are still around 20 lbs. You were 19lbs 15oz this morning at the doctor, which put you in the 39% for boys your age! But your growth curve looks perfect! You are just a lean boy!

Length

You are still TALL TALL TALL! You measured at 31" this morning, putting you in the 99% for length (again!). You are just a tall boy and have HUGE feet!!! Poor boy, everyone thinks that you are older than you really are! I think I will be the mom that carries a birth certificate around with me to prove your age to the opposing teams!

Clothes

You wear all 9-12 month clothes now, and even some 18 month stuff! You
are totally out of anything smaller than 9 months, but I still haven't
cleaned out your closet. I am not ready for you to grow up! It is
getting harder and harder to keep you in clothes! You have been wearing
hats and sunglasses too, since we are spending more time outside (which
you love!). Your socks are 12-18 month socks- you have HUGE feet! I bought you some footed PJs the other day, and got them in 18 months because I figured that they would fit when it was cold enough for them. We had a random cold night the other night, and you wore some to bed. They were a shade baggy on you but mostly fit, and especially fit in the feet! In fact, the feet were almost snug! HA!

Nicknames

Arch, Bub, Bubs, Bubba, Brother, Chubs, Chunky Monkey, BuddaBall,
Chubbers, Archie-Boy (I am the only one who is allowed to call him
that...he will NOT be called "Archie" if I can help it!) I have heard several family members call him "Archie" lately...that must stop.

Food

You LOVE to feed yourself and we have started trying out table foods! You love banana, peas, and squash. We are going to try some pasta and other veggies and fruits, and your doctor even said we could start introducing a little meat! You love to eat and still nurse 4-5 times a day (or take a bottle if mommy is working).

Sleep

You pretty much go down at night without much fuss. But you still wake once in the night, more out of habit I think. We are going to work on breaking you of that habit, too. Mommy is ready to sleep through the night! But you are so much better than you were!

Words (New Catagory!)

Mama

Dada

Bye

Hi

Ava (he tries, but it comes out Awa)

Fun Stuff- some are the same from months 1-8!

* You smile and laugh a lot! Especially in the mornings! That seems to
be your happiest time of the day, after you have had your "coffee" (aka
milk).

* You took THREE steps!!!!!!!! You love to cruise and push walker toys around. And of course you crawl EVERYWHERE!

* You are still not a big fan of the carseat, but you are much better.

* I think we have determined that you don't just all out HATE bathtime, you just hate it when you have to share a tub with Ava. So no more double bathtime for now.

* You still love to be naked! You just smile and smile when you are stripped down!

* You
are pretty much only fussy when something is wrong or you are not
getting your way, or you are tired. At least now we can identify WHY you
are fussing. That makes things a lot better!

* You now have SEVEN teeth! You have more teeth at 9 months than your sister did at 12! You have at least one more on the way. And you also have learned to use them!!!

* You are very tolerant of your sister, and have really started watching
and smiling at her. I think the two of you are going to be very close!
Although you do love to pull her hair!!!

* You still prefer mommy, but are starting to really like that daddy guy, too!

* You give kisses now! And you will blow kisses on occasion!

* You are still waving- albeit a very awkward, uncoordinated wave- at
everyone you see! You are starting to get a little shy, though, and
sometimes bury your head in my shoulder when someone talks to you. You
get that from Daddy. Your separation anxiety is in full swing now, too!
Oh boy, that is fun! HA!

* You still love to clap and you have even taught your sister how to
clap again! She had lost that skill but has picked it back up from you!
You are such a good brother!

* Everything you do, you prefer to do with your left hand! I think you are going to be a south paw!

* You love our new dog, Billy! He is a big Australian Shepard who is crazy about you and Ava, too! The three of you just love to lay on the floor and play. He is so good with you and has really fostered your love of dogs. I think the two of you will be best friends!

Archer- Happy 9 Months, sweet baby boy!!!! You are getting to be
such a big, happy, fun, and outgoing boy! We love you so much and you
have brought so much joy and happiness to our lives! We love you, and we
thank the Lord each day for you! I pray that your daddy and I can honor
God and raise you into the man He wants you to be!

Monday, September 9, 2013

Many of my close friends and family know this already. But I am sure some are saying "whoa, what?!?!" So let me rewind a bit...

Around the time of Archer's birth, we had a lot of things happen (medically) in our family. And it got Cole and I talking about our lives, what we wanted, and what our long term goals were. And it made us shift those goals a bit. We decided it was time for me to do something I was intending on doing at some point anyway, but circumstances made it possible for us to move up our plans. So I went to Real Estate School! I have always "studied" real estate, since I have always loved houses and floor plans. But I was amazed at just how much went into getting your real estate license!

I completed the course, passed my exam, and began work with Danali Real Estate in Little Rock a few months ago. We are a small, boutique concierge firm that focuses on customer service and quality over quantity. My principal broker, Danny Been, was also my instructor for school and I think knows just about everything there is to know about real estate! I have learned so much from him and I honestly feel as though I have found my calling in life.

When I was a kid, I didn't watch cartoons at 9:00 am on Saturday mornings. I watched the McKay & Co. Home Showcase. Barb Beatty and Linda Berry were my heroes! I actually got to talk to Linda Berry in the office the other day, and she got a kick out of me telling her that! I was totally star-struck!

My background of marketing, sales, and design is proving to be the perfect mix and an invaluable resource for me, and I am so excited to assist my clients and they navigate one of the most exciting (and sometimes emotional and uncertain) times in their lives. My ultimate goal is to make sure that they are taken care of, and I love going to bed at night knowing that I have done everything in my power to sell their home or find them the home of their dreams (and budget)!

So if you or anyone you know is looking for a hardworking, honest, committed REALTOR® in the central Arkansas area, please feel free to contact me! I love nothing more than helping clients with their Real Estate needs!!!